Methodology - Instrument description

The standard Eurobarometer was established in 1973. Each survey consists in approximately 1000 face-to-face interviews per Member State (except Germany: 1500, Luxembourg: 500, United Kingdom 1300 including 300 in Northern Ireland). Conducted between 2 and 5 times per year, with reports published twice yearly.

Special Eurobarometer reports are based on in-depth thematical studies carried out for various services of the European Commission or other EU Institutions and integrated in Standard Eurobarometer's polling waves.

Ad hoc thematical telephone interviews conducted at the request of any service of the European Commission. The Flash Eurobarometer surveys enable the Commission to obtain results relatively quickly and to focus on specific target groups, as and when required (i.e. doctors, SMEs, etc.)

The qualitative studies investigate in-depth the motivations, the feelings, the reactions of selected social groups towards a given subject or concept, by listening and analysing their way of expressing themselves in discussion groups or with non-directive interviews.

Wave were carried out in between 2001 and 2004 in all the 13 countries applying for membership. Its methodology was almost identical to that of the Standard Eurobarometer. One report was published each year, excluding the special reports. It replaced the Central and Eastern Eurobarometer (CEEB).